Thursday, January 27, 2011

Via Black PR Wire: Harry E. Johnson, Sr., the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc., has been selected to receive the “President’s” Award at the 2011 Trumpet Awards Gala to be held in Atlanta on January 29th.

Originally presented by Turner Broadcasting in 1993 and now presented by the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc., the Trumpet Awards were created to herald the accomplishments of Black Americans who have succeeded against immense odds. Special recognition is given to the few, who symbolize the many, who have overcome the ills of racism and poverty and achieved special greatness. The 2011 Trumpet Awards will be aired on April 24 on TV ONE.

"Mr. Johnson’s tireless passion and relentless efforts has allowed him to ensure that MLK Memorial will not only be built on the National Mall, but dedicated as well in August of 2011 for the world to see and behold for generations to come. Harry Johnson represents the truest essence of this great award; the achievement of special greatness," states Ms. Xernona Clayton, Founder, President and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. and Creator and Executive Producer of the Foundation’s Trumpet Awards.

Harry E. Johnson, Sr. has led the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King Memorial Foundation as President and CEO since 2002. The President of the United States and the U.S. Congress charged the MLK Foundation with erecting a memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Under Johnson's leadership, the MLK Memorial Foundation has raised $109 million of the $120 million needed to complete the memorial; positioned three boards (Executive Leadership Cabinet, Governing Board and Honorary Board) for the foundation; and garnered support from all living U.S. Presidents, Congress, members of the corporate and nonprofit communities, and celebrities

“I am very humbled and honored to be recognized with such a prestigious award. Being part of a team that organized the support and contributions made by millions to build a memorial to a man who was a citizen of the world, whose messages of democracy, justice, hope and love transcended racial barriers and resonated around the globe, I am grateful and blessed for this unique opportunity." adds Johnson.

Mr. Johnson is a career lawyer, entrepreneur and public servant. From 2001 - 2004, he served as National President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, the fraternity to which Dr. King belonged. Johnson is also a small business owner who has dedicated his time to community groups and issues, such as voter registration, blood donations, HIV/AIDS, Boy Scouts of America and Big Brothers.

Johnson received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Southern University where he was a member of the Thurgood Marshall Student Bar Association. He completed Post Baccalaureate work in Public Administration at St. Louis University and received his Bachelor of Arts from Xavier University of Louisiana. Johnson has received a number of recognitions for his public service and was named in Ebony Magazine’s “100 Most Influential Black Americans,” 2001 – 2004.

For more information about the Washington, DC Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation, Inc., visit www.buildthedream.org. For more about the Trumpet Awards Foundation and the 2011 honorees, visit www.trumpetfoundation.org.